Egypt plans to launch a trial operation of its long-anticipated power connection with Saudi Arabia in August, a source at the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy told Al Manassa.
The $1.8 billion interconnection project, first announced in 2012 and formally signed in 2021, will enable the two countries to exchange up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity in two phases, according to previous statements by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
By the end of April, construction was more than 92 percent complete, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The initial phase will allow for the transmission of between 1,200 and 1,500 megawatts, enhancing grid stability between the two countries in the second half of 2025.
The source added that the project faced technical delays due to the mountainous terrain along the route, which necessitated timeline extensions and complex engineering efforts. However, most of the major construction work—including transmission lines, transformers, and undersea and underground cables—has already been completed.
The interconnection will allow both countries to balance electricity loads according to peak demand. Egypt will benefit from Saudi electricity during its peak consumption hours, while Saudi Arabia can import excess power from Egypt when needed.
Hafez El-Salmawy, former head of the Egyptian Electric Utility & Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency, told Al Manassa the project remains in its final implementation stages. He expects the full integration with the national grid to be completed within three to four months, aligning with the height of the summer season.
He noted that laying undersea and underground cables required additional time due to overlaps with existing infrastructure, including natural gas and petroleum pipelines.
According to El-Salmawy's predictions, the project would help reduce Egypt’s reliance on imported liquefied natural gas and mazut starting in the fourth quarter of 2025, potentially cutting the country’s fuel import bill.
